The 46th Annual Willamette Writers Conference is over. Months of planning and organizing went into three fantastic days that went by far too quickly, but were well worth the lack of sleep. There’s too much to put into just one article. I realize that. But it was such a great weekend that I had to…
Our News
Our News provides useful information about Willamette Writers, upcoming events in the writing and publishing world, and Pacific Northwest updates for writers.
Lifetime Achievement Award Winner – Tom Robbins
In 2001, Tom Robbins won our Distinguished NW Writer Award. With the publication last year of his memoir, Tibetan Peach Pie, the Willamette Writers board felt it was finally time to award him our Lifetime Achievement Award as well. Because, as everyone knows, the memoir makes the man. OK. Not really… What makes Tom Robbins the…
Distinguished NW Writer – Brian Doyle
The winner of the 2015 Distinguished NW Writer Award is Brian Doyle. This award recognizes noteworthy Northwest authors who have distinguished themselves by exceptional written work in various forms. Mr. Doyle is the author of several heartfelt and beautifully written novels, as well as many essays and poems. He is the editor of the Portland Magazine at the University of Portland, gives headlong inspirational talks about…
Up and Coming Award Winner – Fonda Lee
Our Up and Coming Award winner for 2015 is author Fonda Lee. The Willamette Writers board chose Fonda because she represents the best of emerging talent, and is an author who has already demonstrated amazing skills in the craft of writing. Fonda is also a conference success story who first pitched her novel at the 2013 conference. She…
Conference Registration Open
Registration for Willamette Writers conference, August 7 – 9th at the Doubletree Hotel in Portland, is now open. The conference offers a variety of workshops and opportunities to meet with literary agents and Hollywood producers. Our success stories range from Jean Auel’s Clan of the Cave Bear to Fonda Lee. Fonda first pitched her YA…
Oregon Book Awards Offers Fellowships to Writers
The Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships program promotes, support and celebrates Oregon’s writers. Guidelines and applications for the 2016 Oregon Literary Fellowships, including the newly established Writers of Color Fellowship, are now online at http://www.literary-arts.org/what-we-do/oba-home/fellowships/ As part of the application for an Oregon Literary Fellowship, writers can also choose to be considered for the Writers of…
Introducing a New Writers Guild – 9 Bridges
The Willamette Writers’ 50th Anniversary celebration at our Writing House this weekend brought out members old and new to discover each others’ latest work. Longtime members Salli Slaughter and George Mason, who have visited over 20 states for their Authors Road project, recently added Daniel Handler aka Lemony Snicket to their impressive list of author interviews. We were also visited by the…
What’s Your Story? Tell It at the Conference – Aug 7-9, 2015, Portland, Or.
The 46th installment of the Willamette Writers Conference is on its way, bringing a mix of old favorites and brand new programs, events and pitching to agents and publishers over three and a half days this summer. We’re challenging you this year to “Tell Your Story” – whatever that story is, and whatever form it takes. We’re assembling…
We Will Miss You, Ivan Doig
Willamette Writers was saddened to hear of the death of award-winning novelist and non-fiction writer Ivan Doig. From This House of Sky to Sweet Thunder, Mr. Doig proved his mastery of language and storytelling. He never considered himself a “Western” writer, despite his stories taking place in the American West. He felt that writing, though…
Finding a Critique Group
Since so many of our members seek critique groups, I was delighted to stumble upon what appeared to be a “secret society” of such groups right here in Portland. In fact, it’s not a secret society but a highly organized, grassroots, community-based organization of serious writers who joined together to form People’s Ink to hone their writing…